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Life story of Rey Valera featured in Summer MMFF entry

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Josh Mercado

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Songwriter Rey Valera (left) is portrayed by RK Batagsing (right) in the biopic " Kahit="" Maputi="" Na="" Ang="" Buhok="" Josh="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/news/03/26/rey.jpg"/><figcaption>Songwriter Rey Valera (left) is portrayed by RK Batagsing (right) in the biopic &#x27;Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.&#x27; Josh Mercado</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — Produced by Saranggola Media and directed by Joven Tan, “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” tells the life story of songwriter Rey Valera and his journey to becoming an OPM pillar.The film is an entry in the inaugural summer edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which kicks off April 8.In an interview during the special celebrity screening of the film, Valera praised the director and lead star RK Bagatsing, who portrays the hitmaker.“Nung ginagawa ni direk ‘yung script, sabi ko mayroong libro. At halos lahat naipakita sa pelikula. Sino ba naman ang magaakala na ang buhay ng isang neird ay puwede pa lang gawing pelikula,” he said.The music icon added, “Napaka-intellectual ng pelikulang ito. Na-realize at na-appreciate ko lahat ng hirap na ginawa ni direk sa pelikulang ito. Humanga ako sa kanya.”He also praised and thanked Bagatsing for portraying the role well. “Pinagmamalaki ko si RK sa lahat ng nagtatanong sa akin. Masuwerte ang batang ito. Mahalaga sa akin ang suwerte. Ang laki ng impact niya. Hindi pa niya siguro nare-realize ‘yung inspiration na magagawa niya.” From being a child full of dreams to becoming a famous songwriter, Valera hopes his biopic to be inspirational and aspirational. “Twenty years ago, nagkatagpo ang aming landas ni direk. Sabi niya sa akin, that time, na-inspire ko raw niya. So imagine ‘yung mai-inspire ni RK na mga bata (na makakapanood nito). Mayroong pag-asa.”<div>Tips for songwriters </div>Valera’s songs have been radio stables since the &#x27;70s. His hits have been recorded by many artists like Sharon Cuneta and Rico J. Puno. Today, his work continues to be heard as soundtrack themes for teleseryes and movies.He shared his tips for young songwriters: “Naririnig ko lang sila (mga bagong singer-songwriter). Mayroon akong mga tip sa kanila. Nung panahon namin, kapag mayroon kang four chords na pinaikot-ikot mo lang, kantiyaw ang aabutin mo sa panahon namin. Katakot-takot na kantiyaw ang aabutin mo sa mga barkada mo, music lovers, at kapwa mo songwriters. Puwede ka nang umuwi at lumabas—ganoon ang aabutin mong kahihiyan.“Ngayon, napapansin ko ‘yan at hindi maganda ‘yan. Mayroong mga music lover (fan) na ibang hinahanap sa tenga at kapag narinig nila ‘yun (four chords na paulit-ulit), nakaka-bore ‘yan. Kung sumikat ka, halimbawa sa isang video, dahil sa ginawa mo na ‘yun, hindi puwedeng habambuhay ‘yun na ang gagawin mo. Dapat umangat ka. Magdadagdag ka ng kaalaman. Gagawa ka naman ng iba.”Among the current-generation songwriters, Valera considers &quot;hugot&quot; hitmaker Moira dela Torre worthy of being regarded as one of the country&#x27;s top composers.“Si Moira, magaling na songwriter ‘yan. Emotional siyang gumawa ng kanta. ‘Yung mga gawa ni Moira, maganda na ‘yan. Ang tip ko lang, try naman niyang ibahin ‘yung topic o tema. Approved ako na she’s the next Rey Valera. Magaling siyang songwriter. Ma-realize niya lang dapat na hindi siya gumagawa para sa sarili niya, dapat sa audience niya. “At para humaba-haba pa ang mga kanta mo at marami ka pang magawa, dapat ang concentration mo ay sila (audience) at hindi ikaw,” he ended.“Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” also stars Aljur Abrenica, Meg Imperial, Carlo Mendoza, Eric Nicolas, Epy Quizon, Gelli de Belen, Ariel Rivera, Christopher de Leon, Lotlot de Leon, Rosanna Roces, Ara Mina, and Gardo Versoza.

Produced by Saranggola Media and directed by Joven Tan, “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” tells the life story of songwriter Rey Valera and his journey to becoming an OPM pillar.